eat nutritiously, deliciously and move pleasurely, joyfully

I see I’ve had this somewhat elusive goal for at least 19 months, and the completion kind of snuck up on me. Going over to raw food completely covers nutritious and delicious, and taking up yoga has given me some of my most pleasurable body experiences ever, not to mention joy, with moments of bliss. Initially this goal had the ending “and weigh accordingly” but I removed it to not get stuck on the weight. And now with the raw food the weight is just falling away effortlessly. I had also come to a point where I had no problem whatsoever with the weight I had and could see the beauty of those shapes. And now I’m enjoying these “new” shapes, familiar from before, and yet a sense of newness, perhaps because I’m more present with and in my body. Feels like this goal was just puzzle pieces waiting to get laid out…!

Yoga, swimming, and Nia in one week – body love!

Q: I’ve heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true?

A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that’s it… don’t waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that’s like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?

A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system.
Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). A nd a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?

A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?

A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?

A: Can’t think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain…Good!

Q: Aren’t fried foods bad for you?

A: YOU’RE NOT LISTENING!!! ...
Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they’re permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?

A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?

A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans!
Another vegetable!!! It’s the best feel-good food around.

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?

A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?

A: Hey! ‘Round’ is a shape!

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.

And remember:

‘Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways – Chardonnay in one hand – chocolate in the other – body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming
‘WOO HOO, What a Ride’
AND…..
For those of you who watch what you eat, here’s the final word on nutrition and health. It’s a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION:
Eat and drink what you like.
Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

... for the first time in over 10 years. It’s funny how I still end up with a grin on my face after a while. Going to bed I could feel the serotonins “raging”.

... So Good! My body loves it. Felt like I was walking on air/in air afterwards. Light light light.

I want to love myself through the food I choose, rather than try to fill the void of love with eating. And I want to love my body by giving it opportunity to move like it loves to.

I’m keeping “eat nutritiously, deliciously, move pleasurely, joyfully,” and losing “and weigh accordingly”. I realized I have the idea that I need to be thin to be okay. Subtle, but self-hate nonetheless.

Yesterday evening I wanted chocolate so intensely. I had had an off day, and there was no sense of it turning around. But once again it was so clear that what my body/soul wants is to come back to balance, and somehow I’ve learned that chocolate can give that sensation, or impression. Upper or downer, but back to some kind of equilibrium. Except then for the side effects, such as getting onto the sugar cycle, gaining weight, or simply escaping my emotions and whatever there is for me to look at. Just seeing this I kept breathing, and being very aware of not wanting to feel my stomach bulge over my pants lining. At its most intense it was like this drug thing, seeing chocolate, tasting it in my mouth, imagining gorging on all these different kinds. But I think it might have lasted no more than half an hour and the craving was all gone, not to be found today. It really is the centering through breathing and meditation that is the answer. The craving is just a misguided attempt to reach this balance. Now mindful eating – chocolate meditation – that’s something else.

When I think of moving pleasurely, joyfully, the first thing that comes to mind is Nia. I haven’t taken a class for a long time and I really want to do that this week.

I’ve cooked some good stuff these last days, trying new recipes or experimenting with the regular ones, and being reminded once again that I actually enjoy creative cooking. I’ve been doing so many things I enjoy now that life is starting to feel short! The balanced eating is also helped by drinking heated water first thing in the morning – it definitely seems to lessen the sugar cravings.